Working with young people is a privilege that brings both challenge and purpose. It’s not always about solutions, more often, it’s about presence. Each one-to-one session opens a window into a young person’s world; whether that’s marked by humour, silence, frustration, or hope. Many young people carry invisible weight, which could include family tension, identity struggles, emotional overwhelm, or a quiet but constant sense of shame. Shame shows up in many forms: anger in the classroom, reluctance to engage, anxiety around appearance, or the feeling of being "too much" or "not enough." It’s not always about trauma or crisis; sometimes, it’s about being misunderstood or overlooked.
My work is about creating safe space, not only physically, but emotionally. A space where young people can say “I’m struggling” without judgement. Where they can name what they feel, even if they don’t fully understand it. Together, we unpack these layers, slowly. We talk about school, gaming, family, relationships, loneliness, and everything in between. We celebrate the small wins; a good day, a golden ticket, the courage to ask for help. And when behaviour slips or confidence drops, we don’t scold, we explore. Because behaviour is communication, and behind almost every ’’struggling’’ young person is an unmet need. We use tools, journalling, games, creative tasks, and gentle challenges. We plant ideas, offer reflection, and build trust week by week. Sometimes the biggest success is a young person saying, “I’ve never told anyone this before.”
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Every young person needs something different; some need structure others need space, some need to talk, whilst others need silence. But all of them need to feel safe, seen, and supported. Mentoring isn’t about fixing, it’s about walking alongside young people while they learn to understand themselves and reminding them that no matter how heavy things feel, they don’t have to carry it all alone.
Ryan Marwood-North, Achieve Youth Mentor